Tag Archives: Contemporary

The Setup by Rachel Van Dyken

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Setup
Author: Rachel van Dyken
Series: Bro-Code #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

This was a very easy, sweet and quick read. It isn’t actually the first book in the series, which I don’t generally like to start so late into a series. But it was in my Dating the Boss book box on my kobo… so I figured why not? Although it gives hints as to the relationships that have come before, it is completely easily read all on its own.

I mean, you know from the title, and the way that this story starts that this whole relationship is going to be part of a set up. But the journey to get there is still really fun. There’s nothing wrong with having a totally predictable story line, if it’s well written and still a fun journey. And this is definitely the case in this story. Just too damn gorgeous.

It was a bit of a change having a virgin for a male lead. It seems to be a bit of a trope in romances that the girl is the less experienced one. So I kind of liked that this was turned on its head a bit. But, it really wasn’t a big plot line. More so a moment of character understanding and development. An understanding as to just why Finn is who he is and some of his wonderful history. Again, I seriously enjoyed how Van Dyken was able to so seamlessly include this in her characterisation.

Jillian has so much damn lovely sass. And as anyone who reads my reviews knows, I love a lead female with a whole lot of sass. I really enjoyed her. And the way she was able to consistently hold her own. Even when she maybe should actually watch her mouth a little. Completely adorable and wonderful. Finn is a great counterpoint to this. He’s a bit of a fool, but all round a good guy. And that’s ultimately the important part of having good leads – they’re flawed, but still loveable.

<- Avoiding TemptationMore Rachel van Dyken ->

Image source: Goodreads

Dare to Touch by Carly Phillips

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Dare to Touch
Author: Carly Phillips
Series: Dare to Love #3
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2015

Thoughts

I like that in Dare to Desire, there were hints about the beginnings of a relationship between Olivia and Dylan. However, unlike some romances, I wasn’t immediately invested in the idea of them. And, even after reading their novel, I still wasn’t quite invested in their relationship. I mean, I really hoped for their happily ever after. And I was invested enough that I wanted to finish the rest of their tale, but I also didn’t feel the need to greedily gobble up every word.

Olivia’s background is kind of sad as its slowly revealed. At the beginning of this story, you kind of think that she’s a bit of an ice queen and it’s a little bit difficult to understand just why. But, as the truth unfolds, you do begin to understand her behaviour a bit better. What I liked more about her history though is the fact that Dylan completely calls her out on her behaviour. I mean, yeah, she has a pretty sad back story. But basing all of her decisions on the fears of a teenager and hiding in on herself for something that happened a long time ago? Definitely needed to be called on that.

Marcus “Big”’s story is kind of annoying to read. Because he is so obviously being taken for a ride. And you know that it is going to end in some kind of dangerous altercation. But it’s also understandable – I mean, my goodness its hard to believe that some people are that naïve, but I’ve also met people who are like that, so its frustratingly real. You also know that it’s going to end badly for everyone involved. And that it will put Olivia in some kind of danger. Danger that then makes her face up to the ways in which she is running scared.

Whilst this wasn’t’ my favourite ever contemporary romance, it was a good and enjoyable one. and, although I wasn’t necessarily heavily invested into this, I still read it cover to cover. A perfect way to distract myself and fly away in storyland for an hour or two.

<- Dare to DesireDare to Hold ->

Image source: Kobo

Baby, It’s Cold Outside by Kait Nolan

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Author: Kait Nolan
Series: Rescue My Heart #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Small town romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I read Snowed in With the Ranger before digging into this, but rather than being a prologue, there was a whole lot of overlap. In fact, the first three chapters were just a shortened and slightly different version of the entirety of Snowed in With the Ranger. Which made the start of this a little bit difficult to read. And confusing. But, still enjoyable.

All in all, this was a cute and light romance. And now I want to read more about the world of the Misfit Inn. I mean, it seems like such a picturesque location to travel to. And I always love a good small town romance. There’s just something too cute about being in a small town, with slightly meddling, but well-meaning individuals being around. I look forward to spending some more time delving into this sweet and cute little world.

I did enjoy how this romance resolved itself a little bit differently to what I expected. Instead of them reconnecting shortly after the bit that separates them, it is resolved months afterwards. It was enjoyable to have a storyline that doesn’t just resolve instantly. After all, this was a bit of an insta-love story (which I’m not always a fan of), but I like that it wasn’t an instant fix.

Lastly, it’s good fun that both of the characters in this are writers with writers block. And that they’ve realised that they need balance and a personal life to truly be able to be creative in their professional lives. It’s a good reminder that we all need a little balance in our lives to fulfill our dreams.

<- Snowed in With the RangerWhat I Like About You ->

Image source: Amazon

Snowed in with the Ranger by Kait Nolan

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Snowed in with the Ranger
Author: Kait Nolan
Series: Rescue My Heart #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Small town romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

This is a nice, short novella to start of the Rescue My Heart series. Nothing overly tenuous to read, just easy and enjoyable. It’s also a nice introduction to the couple that are about to take centre stage in Baby, It’s Cold Outside. Admittedly, there is a whole lot of overlap between the two stories, but I did enjoy how this novella fleshes out the beginning and motivations of the primary characters in the technical first story in the series.

I love that this is a story about a novelist trying to escape their deadlines, and an ex-military man trying to escape his memories. I think that the novelist procrastination may be partly based on real experiences. Although I may just be projecting with that theory. However, I know what it’s like to just want to run away and escape from your responsibilities, get a reset on life, and honestly, I think that this is kind of a bit of dream scenario… right up until Ivy almost drives herself off of a mountain.

I was expecting there to be a much more stereotypical novelist and ex-military man. It was a pleasant surprise that this just wasn’t the case for either character. I like that Nolan did take some of the stereotypes you kind of expect (and honestly, I’m reading a romance because of the simplicity of stereotypes), but then turn them into more relatable people. In fact, for someone who is fleeing his demons, the ex-military man is actually incredibly welcoming and accommodating. Likewise, Ivy might be a writer, but she writes about serial killers and has a profiler background – again, not quite the character that you would be expecting.

Against all of this romance and fun of two characters stuck in isolation together, is a great setting. There is something that always strikes me as so romantic about being in an isolated cabin in the snow. Probably because it’s not a situation I’ve ever found myself in. Or honestly ever will. But a great backdrop to a fun story beginning.

<- More Kait NolanBaby, It’s Cold Outside ->

Image source: Kait Nolan

Playboy in a Kilt by Kait Nolan

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Playboy in a Kilt
Author: Kait Nolan
Series: Kilted Hearts #3
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Scottish romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I like how in the Kilted Hearts series, the epilogue in every story leads into the next couple. It doesn’t give much away, but rather just a little teaser of what is to come. The ending of Grump in a Kilt perfectly sets up Connor and Sophie’s storyline. It also is the beginning of Hamish and Afton’s… but I’m sure that will come up much later in the series. The Cinderella-vibe of this story was a really enjoyable way to tell the tale of a boy who has always been in love with his sister’s best friend. And it was most definitely a melt your heart kind of tale.

Connor’s growth throughout this series has been pretty drastic and kind of intense. I mean, he starts out as a boy who is going to be forced into a marriage he doesn’t want. And thinking that that is his one and only responsibility. Then, it segues into him finally trying to actually help out with the rest of the family estate. He is also finally free to pursue the relationship that he’s also wanted. His unrequited love comes to the forefront, as does his motivations to take up blacksmithing. Again, way too damn cute.

Although I really liked Connor, I did find his trickery to start the relationship with Sophie to be a little bit underhanded. It was somehow not creepy and too uncomfortable. But it was still not overly great… I mean, anytime you have to trick someone into a relationship it becomes at the very least a grey area. And, as you get to know Swayze, you realise how disingenuous he is to her. I actually loved her as a secondary character, and I’m really hoping that she too gets a romance in the future. She’s such a fun livewire. Someone who is willing to give and love others on their own terms.

Sophie’s abusive stepmother is truly horrible. The fact that a strong woman puts up with her nonsense is a great reminder of how easy it can be to fall into unhealthy patterns. The moment when Sophie is finally able to acknowledge that abuse and take a step forward in her own life is incredibly gratifying. It’s also nice when she realises that she finally needs to start asking others for help! Definitely a common (and way too familiar) trauma response – being unwilling to ask for help due to abuse.

Now I just need to wait until the next Kilted Hearts book comes out – Protector in a Kilt. I just want to find out more about Ewan. And, more than that, just who his mystery woman is…

<- Grump in a KiltProtector in a Kilt ->

Image source: Kobo

Grump in a Kilt by Kait Nolan

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Grump in a Kilt
Author: Kait Nolan
Series: Kilted Hearts #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Scottish romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

Charlotte is such a loving and giving character in Cowboy in a Kilt. I mean, the woman literally gave up a large portion of her life to raise Raileigh. It was such a pleasure that the second book in this series focuses on her own happily ever after. I mean, she obviously doesn’t regret her choices, but, there is also that lack of companionship that I’m sure she feels as she gets older. Creating a Found Family is just the perfect ending I imagine for her.

The cliff-hanger at the end of Cowboy in a Kilt is seriously heavy with implications, and innuendoes. I love that, although some of it is exactly what you think, it also is 100% not what you expect. It definitely starts off the relationship between Malcolm and Charlotte and makes them question the sparks that are flying between them. But, it also isn’t quite what you expect when you get ready to dive into this story. Without giving away any spoilers, I’ll just leave it at that.

The grump and the sunshine trope is one of my favourite romantic tropes. I mean, it’s always fun and very, very cute. Also, it tends to remind me a little of my relationship at times… the fact that this story features a grump with a Scottish accent. In a kilt. With salt and pepper hair. And muscles… yeah, it was definitely a delicious way to set up this storyline. Then there’s the fact that Charlotte isn’t only sunshine, but she is also a total homemaker and loves to cook? I could honestly smell the food coming off of the pages… and it made me drool.

There is plenty of drama and challenge throughout this book, more so than Cowboy in a Kilt, but not enough that you actually worried too much in any given moment. There were the challenges of two older people actually opening up to one another (Malcolm more so than Charlotte). But also the complications of Gavin, the boy they decide to call their own. It was pretty high stakes, but also over incredibly quickly, the perfect level of intensity for a contemporary romance.

Just as with Cowboy in a Kilt, Grump in a Kilt wraps up with a great epilogue. I love that so far in this series, the epilogues tie up the couple beautifully. But they also give you a fantastic hint and tease for the next couple. In this case, it’ll be Connor and Sophie. And, I for one can’t wait for the release date!

<- Cowboy in a KiltPlayboy in a Kilt ->

Image source: Goodreads

Cowboy in a Kilt by Kait Nolan

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Cowboy in a Kilt
Author: Kait Nolan
Series: Kilted Hearts #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Scottish romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I knew that this was a marriage of convenience story, because, well, that’s what is written in the short description on my kobo. But it really wasn’t quite the marriage of convenience that I was expecting. It takes a 300-year-old pact (so a more historical romance-esque driver) and applies it to a contemporary, modern-day couple. It was fun to have this kind of historical romance spin on a romance that is set in contemporary times.

At the very beginning of this story, I kind of thought that Raleigh was going to have a fighting chance to keep his ancestral home – I mean, I’m so used to romances where the hero (or heroine) are able to triumph over all of the bad and get their sweet revenge. Or at least some form of poetic justice. But, instead of being a moment to rail and fight against, it was just the driver that gets Raleigh to where he needs to be. I was seriously hoping that the evil stepmother, Twilla, would have some kind of moment that made her realise that she was evil, but it really wasn’t meant to be.

Kyla is a really fun and sassy little heroine. She is so driven to save her family home that everything kind of pales in comparison. And it does take her a little while (almost too long) to actually realise what she wants out of life. I love that she is so damn committed to her family and her people. To keeping her word and just generally one of those people who is going to fight for what is right in the world, right up until that moment when she collapses in on herself and completely burns herself out.

Most of my romances set in Scotland are more o the historical romance bent. And, as mentioned, I liked the fact that it actually uses a bit of a historical romance-esque plot driver to create the circumstances for this modern romance. It’s also fun having a cowboy from Tennessee in Scotland. There is something dreamy and stunning about this setting, one that makes me want to dive straight back into this world.

This romance might have been completely expected and have very few twists and turns. But it was still fun and gorgeous and lovely. The perfect short novel to take you away and let you have a few blissful hours in a world where everything ends with a happily ever after.

<- Jilting the KiltGrump in a Kilt ->

Image source: Goodreads

Jilting the Kilt by Kait Nolan

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Jilting the Kilt
Author: Kait Nolan
Series: Kilted Hearts #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Scottish romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2023

Thoughts

This short novella was one that I actually read after finishing Cowboy in a Kilt. It certainly helped to give context to the headspace that Afton was in when she decided to runaway and start the events of this series. I mean, I completely understood her reasoning before actually reading about it from her point of view. But then, I had even more sympathy.

This novella also gives a whole lot more insight into just how the pact works and it came into being. Plus, the amount of work that Hamish went through to find that tiny little loophole that lead to Raleigh and Kyla’s happily ever after. I loved that this novella just gave you answers to questions you weren’t quite sure to ask. And, also acted as a great prologue for Cowboy in a Kilt.

Lastly, this novella was a great teaser for Hamish and Afton as a couple. Even though their book hasn’t been published yet. And it’s going to be like… the fifth book in the series. I have a whole lot of time to wait until I get to dive into this one!

<- More Kait NolanCowboy in a Kilt ->

Image source: Amazon

Christmas Shopping for a Billionaire by Julia Kent

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Christmas Shopping for a Billionaire
Author: Julia Kent
Series: Shopping for a Billionaire #5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Christmas, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2014

Thoughts

This is a nice, funny and light Christmas story. One with plenty of steam and yum. I mean, how could it not be with Declan and Shannon taking centre stage? A couple that is definitely unorthodox and has some dramas… but one that always ends with a happily ever after and a smile on my face.

I love how, although Shannon lost her job, she manages to continuously get sucked into some seriously questionable secret shopper moments. I mean, there haven’t been many in this series that she’s actually enjoyed. Or had much pleasure in achieving, so having her say yes, yet again… you know its going to be hilarious. And filled with nonsense that, quite honestly, no one should really deal with. The fact that Declan ends up going along with it just makes it all that much better.

Sexy Santa and how quickly it goes viral online and attracts, well, the desperate, was kind of hilarious. The fact that he’s paired with the busty elf (poor Shannon) had me outright laughing. I mean, how is that not a hilarious situation? Also a reminder of how damn… creepy some people can be in their pursuit of others.

As someone who has a toddler, I’m honestly dreading the days when I have to go line up so that she can have a picture with Santa. Partly because creepy. But also because of the sheer insanity of Christmas. This story just supports that feeling… seriously dreading that in the future.

<- Shopping for a Billionaire 4Shopping for a Billionaire’s Fiancée ->

Image source: Goodreads

Shopping for a Billionaire 4 by Julia Kent

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Shopping for a Billionaire 4
Author: Julia Kent
Series: Shopping for a Billionaire #4
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2014

Thoughts

I love that throughout this series, Shannon just seems to make one dopey mistake after another. None are really her fault, but they are still not necessarily great decisions… and mostly just have some not-so-great and very entertaining consequences. I get a little bit of a second-hand embarrassment from this, but mostly I just get pure and unadulterated joy and entertainment.

Although it’s the first five books in this series that are really that first major story arc, this fourth instalment kind of acted as a finale. The next book is more of a Christmas epilogue if I’m being honest. I love that Kent is able to not only resolve all of the issues throughout this, but also find a way to want you to keep diving into Shannon and Declan’s relationship.

There are a lot more epiphanies and truth-sharing than awkward moments throughout this story. At least in comparison to the first three. I like that some of those secrets are actually about Shannon’s mum and Declan’s dad. They give a little more context to the struggles that Declan and Shannon face. And also just remind us all that parents have a past that happened before they did – one that can still impact the future.

It’s nice to have the majority of the questions you’re left with at the end of Shopping for a Billionaire 3 tied up in a nice, neat bow at the end of this. Particularly, finding out just why Declan does such a full 180 on Shannon in a completely unexpected way. This story definitely gave me the feels and comfort to not just dive straight into the next book in this series (although I still want to).

<- Shopping for a Billionaire 3Christmas Shopping for a Billionaire ->

Image source: Amazon